Johanna Konta has missed out on a first title of 2018 after losing in three sets to Ashleigh Barty at the Nottingham Open.
The British number one went into Sunday's contest having successfully defended the ranking points that she had earned 12 months ago, but the home favourite was edged out by the top seed.
Much of the opener was dominated by serve with Barty taking the set with the only break, but Konta struck late in the second and held off chances for her opponent to force a decider.
The third went back and forth with Konta cancelling out an early break for Barty, but a controversial line call disrupted Konta's concentration and Barty struck again to seal a 6-3 3-6 6-4 victory.
Konta now moves on to Birmingham, where she will play two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova in the first round.
Darren Plant
